Student artist in the Spotlight: Charles Leroy Batton II

Reason: "I really like music and this school, so I was interested in it."

Experience: "I have been practicing this art for a year and a half."

All in the family: "My step-mother was interested in singing. My dad is also interested in music and plays the bass guitar."

Favorites: "I like art that is really funny. I really like country, jazz and rock music."

Future plans: "I have no big future plans in general, but I have a lot of free time."

Activites: Football and soccer.

Wacky art: "The wackiest thing a person could do is have a concert in space."

You should know: "I can cook fairly well, and my hero is my dad."

His teacher, Alexa Connolly, says: "I selected Charles because he went above and beyond the duties of the typical "choir" student. He took on the challenge of learning to play a xylophone part that would accompany the choir. Not only did he learn his part, he learned the bell part and the second xylophone part just for fun. Charles has great commitment to music. He shows up every Monday after school to work on his xylophone part for the choir. He also exhibits leadership skills by working with the other students learning the xylophone and helping them. At the beginning of this year, Charles immediately showed his fun-loving attitude by making up dance moves to a rap called 'Posture Perfect' in choir. The rap was to teach the students correct singing posture, and then Charles and a friend added in dance moves that were a riot!"

 Student Artist in the Spotlight is a weekly feature on the Neighbors page and is in collaboration with the Juneau School District Elementary Art Program. To have your student art included, contact your school office.